Clearview golf team looks to use freshman to fill void left by graduation

Clearview's Austin Kohler hits the ball from the rough during the Tri-County Conference Showcase at Wild Oaks Golf Course last season. Kohler is one of three golfers the Pioneers lost to graduation. (File Photo)

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Head coach Dan Lafferty is rebuilding his roster. The fifth-year head coach has allowed nine of his 14 roster spots for freshmen and believes there are at least a couple of incoming golfers that will play in his top six.

“I was very fortunate,” Lafferty said. “I unexpectedly got a crop of freshmen in and two of them will be playing varsity. (Freshmen) Billy Edwards and Shea Wolfe were a nice addition. They’re shooting consistently in the low 40s. It’s going to be hard to replace Austin, Sean and Mike, but I think we can stillbe contenders.”

Co-captain Nick Cozzi is embracing the youth movement and the senior — who Lafferty pegged as his No. 1 — is looking forward to seeing what they can do.

“We lost three pretty good players and it’s going to be tough to fill their shoes,” he said. “I feel like the seniors this year really have to step it up. We’re a young team. We lost three, but we gained nine freshmen and we’re really focusing on our future.

“When you have freshmen that are shooting in the low 40s, that’s a great sign for the future and I’m excited to see how they turn out.”

The freshmen will be key in providing the Pioneers with depth. Cozzi will be relied on to get as close to a 39 each time out as he can.

“I think Nick is still playing his game right now and he’s my solid No. 1,” Lafferty said. “On some tough courses he might be in the mid-40s but you can almost guarantee he will be in the 39-42 range on most days.”

In recent years, weather has played a big factor early in the golf season and this season has been no different. The pounding of snow from the winter hasn’t given courses the time to recover and the constant cold weather has prevented a majority of high school teams from getting out to practice on a consistent basis.

Lafferty wanted to make sure the weather wouldn’t be a factor for his team. The Pioneers have had about 10 practice sessions already, fighting through the elements in order to be ready for the start of the season next week.

“We don’t have the luxury of practicing inside,” Lafferty said. “We go out in terrible weather, it’s the only way we’re going to get better. It’s been hard for the freshmen to adjust, but we can’t be fair-weather golfers.

“All the teams are in the same boat. Other teams didn’t get to practice early this year either, it’s been awful. It comes down to how much you played in the summer. The weather is going to be a factor, that’s what happens when you play the sport in March.”

Weather aside, Lafferty still expects his team to score under 180 in matches and is hoping they get better throughout the year. He mentioned Williamstown and Gloucester Catholic, who boast stars in Tyler Reedman and Connor Goodrich, respectively, as the main competition for the Pioneers this season.

“Our goal is to stay within 165-175,” he said. “We have to step up and work hard. We’re really looking forward to a nice solid season.”

GOLFERS TO WATCH

Joe Russo, Wash. Twp.Russo will be looking to defend his consecutive South Jersey Times Player of the Year honors.

Eric Stafford, PitmanIn his final season, Stafford will look to top his three top-four finishes from last year.

Tyler Reedman from Williamstown High School reacts after missing a putt on the 15th hole during the Gloucester County Open at Pitman Golf Course last season. ((Staff Photo by Tim Hawk/South Jersey Times) )

Richie Stolz, West DeptfordFirst-team Colonial Conference honoree will look to lead the Eagles this season.

Mark Graziano, Wash. Twp.Matt Graziano, Wash. Twp.Brothers will look to provide support for Russo and fill the void at No. 2 left by Justin Elwell.

Ryan Brodo, SchalickBrodo is Schalick’s top gun, and will compete with Clark Hathaway of Woodstown for the top spot in Salem County.

Tyler Reedman, WilliamstownThe sky is the limit for the talented Brave, who finished fifth at the Gloucester County Open last year.

Clark Hathaway, WoodstownHathaway will be hoping to better his eighth place finish at the Salem-Cumberland County Golf Challenge in his final season with the Wolverines.